Ben stumbled his way down the hall, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, some days he really hated that stupid alarm. When he first got to the living room it didn't register to his sleep deprived brain that something had changed. He made it halfway to the fridge before he raced back to the living room.

It was decorated.

When did it get decorated; it didn't look like this last night, that's for sure. Garland was attached along the top of the wall all around the living room. Snowflakes of different sizes and patterns hung from the ceiling. Two stocking were hung on his TV stand and to top it all off there was a small Christmas tree fully decorated in the corner. Gwen was on the couch, smiling up at him. "Merry Christmas." She said warmly.

"What?" Was it really Christmas? It was hard to believe. It didn't really feel like Christmas, but what did he know, no one ever celebrated holidays around here, not openly at least.

"You know, Christmas, that time of year where everyone is happy and people tell each other how much they mean to them." Gwen said, half teasingly.

"I know what Christmas is!" Ben bristled. It was too early to be fucking with him.

"You know I didn't mean it like that." Gwen said soothingly. She pat beside her on the couch and Ben begrudgingly flopped down beside her, making her rise off the couch half an inch. "You really didn't know it was Christmas?" She asked.

"No. I didn't." Ben said gruffly. "So what? Why do you even care about a stupid holiday for spoiled little brats?"

"It's not stupid, Ben." She said gently. "If you really don't want to celebrate do you at least want your present?"

"Y-you got me a present?" He asked, his voice soft with disbelief.

"Of course." Gwen said, grabbing a present from behind the couch. It was garishly wrapped and crinkled loudly in Gwen's hands. She offered it to him with a wide smile on her face. Ben accepted it, not really sure how to feel. The gift was soft and light and part of him started to guess what it was. Gwen looked at him, excitement sparkling in her eyes. Ben sighed and smiled in defeat. He grabbed a fistful of the wrapping and tore it off.

It was a jacket? Ben grabbed it and unfolded it. Sure enough, it was a heavy winter jacket. The outside was dark green and the label said that it was rainproof. It had a hood that had faux fur trim and was lined with soft wool. He opened the jacket up to see that it was all lined with the same soft wool. "Wow, Gwen. I-I don't know what to say." He said, genuinely feeling bad for not getting her anything now.

"You don't need to say anything, just try it on." Gwen insisted. Ben nodded and put the jacket on. It fit him perfectly and when he stretched and moved around it didn't limit his movement very much. "I'm so glad it fits you." Gwen said.

"Ugh, now I really look like a dick for not getting you anything!" Ben exclaimed. "Why do you have to be so goody, goody?" He wracked his brain, trying to think of something that he could give Gwen for a present. Gwen was again trying to explain that she didn't want a present when he suddenly thought of it. He jumped off the couch and raced into his room. He went through his dresser trying to find it, making a horrible mess. When he didn't find it there, he tore apart his nightstand. He found what he was looking for buried at the bottom of the drawer. It was a thick, soft, pink headband that had fake purple gems where it would be seen when worn.

He raced back to Gwen with the headband bunched up in his hand to hide it. He held out his fist to Gwen, slightly breathless. Gwen looked confused but eventually figured out what he was trying to do and held out her hand. He dropped her present into her hand and a look of surprise crossed her face. "What? When did you get this?" She asked, inspecting the gift.

Ben sat down next to Gwen and said, "Your mom asked me to give that to you the day I left."

"And you kept it all this time?" Gwen asked.

Ben nodded. "I don't know why I kept it. I don't know, maybe it was my way of holding on to you." He realized how sappy he sounded and groaned. Gwen giggled while putting on the headband over her messy hair. He thought of one more Christmas gift. "Hey, Gwen." He said, getting her attention. She looked up at him with a quizzical, "hm?" Ben gave her a tight hug saying, "Merry Christmas."

Gwen sighed contently and hugged him back. "Merry Christmas, Ben."